The South African Music Awards (SAMAs), the country’s premier showbiz awards ceremony, will not be taking place in Durban after President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his disapproval of an extravagant budget that is speculated to have been as much as R28 million.
The City of Durban pulling out as the host has cast doubt on the immediate future of the prestigious ceremony, which is set to be held next month.
ANC KwaZulu Natal Chairperson and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Siboniso Duma told the media on Wednesday that they had decided to pull the plug on the awards after wide consultations.
“As an executive authority, having consulted widely with the executive council and other stakeholders I have advised the department to stop the hosting of the South African Music Awards this year.” Duma said.
The cancellation comes after Ramaphosa reportedly called Duma on Tuesday, expressing his apprehension at the hosting of such a costly gig at a time when South Africa’s government is battling to control expenditure.
“In MEC’s report to premiers, the president does not get involved in the day-to-day running of provincial departments. However, the president did advise MEC Duma against such spending in the interest of maintaining fiscal discipline,” Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
Ramaphosa advised Duma following a letter from ActionSA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango. The group also expressed concern that eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, had also planned to sponsor another R25m million on the SAMAs.
“Our objection to the EDTEA’s plan to splurge R28m on the Samas is rooted in the department’s intention to divert funds from other programmes, which lacks fiscal justification and is not in compliance with the necessary approval process from the provincial legislature,” he said in his letter.
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